Excavator for heavy objercts



July 6, 1954 c. M. WALBY EXCAVATOR FOR HEAVY OBJECTS 5 Sheecls-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. CA$PER M. NALBY W1;

Ill lllllllnlllllllll-lll C. M. WALBY EXCAVATOR FOR HEAVY OBJECTS July 6, 1954 5 Sh eets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 29. 1948 tn ww um INVENTOR. /C7PER M NHL-BY 7% I I L- C. M. WA LBY EXCAVATOR FOR HEAVY OBJECTS July 6, I954 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Sept. 29. 1948 INVENTOR. CASPER M NALBY BY Z July 6, 1954 c. M. WALBY EXCAVATOR FOR HEAVY OBJECTS 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Sept. 29, 1948 INVENTOR.

Cmvea M. NA 8%) Zwrney y 6, 1954 c. M. WALBY EXCAVATOR FOR HEAVY OBJECTS 5 Shets-Sheet 5 Filed Sept. 29, 1948 v and remove the object.

Patented July 6, 1954 UNITED STATES TENT OFFICE EXCAVATOR FOR HEAVY OBJECTS Casper M. Walby, Clear Lake, Wis.

Application September 29, 1948, Serial No. 51,700

Claims.

My invention relates to improvements in an excavator for use in removing heavy objects such as stones or tree stumps which are lodged in the soil. In particular, it relates to a device which is used in combination with a conventional tractor for excavating tree stumps or relatively large stones such as may be existing as a result of natural causes such as glacial deposit.

In certain land areas the soil is rendered nonarable because of the existence of a large number of tree stumps remaining from forested land, or because of the presence of large stones resulting from glacial deposits or outcropping. Regardless of their origin, such objects are heavy and are often so diflicult to move that in many instances it has been impractical to properly clear the land because of the expense and labor involved. Thus large areas of otherwise valuable land have been relegated to grazing purposes or are rendered totally useless.

In the present invention I have provided a device which may be used in combination with a conventional farm tractor which is capable of digging the tree stump or stone out of the ground if it is embedded therein near the surface, and

also elevating it so that it may be dropped into a truck or wagon to be carted away. Because such objects as my device is capable of handling may be quite heavy and may actually weigh as much as a ton, the device is quite rugged and should be distinguished from a conventional tractor hoist used for general farm purposes.

The principalobject of the invention is to provide an excavating device which is adapted for connection to a tractor for excavating and hoisting heavy objects from or near the surface of the ground.

Another object is to provide an excavating and elevating device which include a pair of frames adapted for connection to an axle frame of a tractor with excavating means carried on one of the frames, ground engaging means on the other frame, and a hoist connected between the frames for elevating the object when excavated.

Another object is to provide in a device for disiodging and excavating heavy objects from the ground such as stones or tree stumps, a frame structure supported on the front end of a tractor including a power operated tine for dislodging the object, other tines which may be operated either independently or in conjunction with the power operated tine to assit in picking up the dislodged object, and power operated means for elevating the several tines to actually excavate pair of frame members one of which carries an excavating mechanism and the other of which has a ground engaging portion to support the weight of the excavated load, together with three independent hydraulic hoists for operating the various portions of the device, and hydraulic fluid flow control means for operating each of the hydraulic hoists.

Other and further objects may become apparent from the following description and claims, and the drawings illustrating one form of my invention in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of my invention shown in combination with a conventional farm tractor;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the device shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 2a is a fragmentary detail of a portion of the device shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 3 is a sectional detail and plan elevation of a portion of the device taken on the lines 33 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a sectional end view taken on the lines 44 of Fig. 1; v

Fig. 5 is a sectional end view taken on the lines 5-5 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged plan view of the valve mechanism shown in Fig. 1; v

Fig. '7 is a cross-sectional view taken on the lines l'--l of Fig. 8;

Fig. 8 is a section taken on the lines 83 of Fig. 7;

Figs. 9-14 are cross-sectional views taken along lines of the respective figures of Fig. 8; and

Fig. 15 is a schematic diagram of the fluid circuit used in operating different portions of the device.

Referring to the several views of the drawing,

the invention will now be explained in detail. Referring first to Figs. 1 and 2, general reference numeral it; indicates a conventional farm tractor of the tricycle gear type having a body portion I1, front wheels is and a pair of rear wheels I9, 28 which are connected by a rear axle frame 2! Supported on the tractor body I? and operated by a portion of the tractor in a conventional manner, not shown, is a hydraulic pump 22 connected to a reservoir 24 and a control valve mechanism indicated by the general reference numeral 26, which will be described hereinafter in detail in connection with Figs. 6-15.

Indicated by the general reference numeral 30 is an excavating device, which in combination with the tractor and the hydraulic fluid system mentioned above forms the present invention. A frame 3i composed of a pair of heavy tubular members 32, 34 each have one end connected by pins 35, 38 to a pair of brackets 40, 42 to the rear axle frame 2! of the tractor 55. At their outer or front ends the members 32, E i, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3, are secured to a ground-engaging member indicated by the general reference numeral 44. Member 44 consists of a flat plate member 45 having uprturned edges and supporting a pair of channel beams 48, 50. Two pairs of supporting plates 52, 54, Figs. 3 and 4, extend between the channel beams 48 and 5t, and by means of bolts 55, 58 form pivotalsupports for the lower ends of a pair of cylinder-s66, 6,2. The plate 46 is pivoted on bolts 56, 58 to extensions of arms 32, 34 so that the plate'can adjust itself.- to the ground level.

The members 32, 34 are joined adjacent their outer ends by a, brace structure. 35. Each, of. the arms 32; 34' have on their upper surface a tie rod 64, 56 extending over upstanding connecting members 68., 70, which, as shown in Fig. 5, are connected to a pair of rods I2, M to a cross frame T5 having a tie rod W on itsupper surface. The cross frame It is connected to a. piston rod I8 having a piston, not shown, within a cylinder 80'. Cylinder 853' is. supported on a bracket i9 secured to the front end of tractor body. I'I.

Referring again to Figs. 1 andr2, a secondfrarne I5. composed of arms 82, 84 are joined by pivot pins B'I', 83 to brackets 40, 42' on the rear axle frame 2!. A pair of brace rods 86a, 881) are positioned on the upper surface, of arms 82, 84

an extend. over tubular. upright. supports 85,. 8"!

and, at their forward ends, are joined to angularly shaped brackets 88, 89'. Between the brackets. 8.8,,89 a heavy connectin member extends and forms a support. for an excavating, mechanism indicated by general. reference numeral 9! Theexcavating mechanism-.91, includes a main or central tine 92 with auxiliary tines. 33, 94 on either side thereof. The central tine 92, has a quadrant-shaped portion 95 on its rear end, and

member. 35 carrieson either side a heavy bracket 96 Which engages the rear or ta'i1 ends 950 and 9.4a. of the auxiliary tines 93, 94.

The outer end of the maintine 52, as shown in is provided With a, removable point 91 which is secured to the body of the tineby means of a pin 98. This is for replacing the point 91 if damaged.

Referring now to Figs. 1., 2 and 4, willbe described. the manner and. means. in which the frame I composed of the armsfizandiidis elevated. The, two. cylinders 60,, 62 mounted on member 44% are provided with piston rods I36, n O t ir pper endscarry rotatable pulleys I02, I04. A pairv of cables E05, itdare each anchcred on one of their endstomembers. I0, I12, Figs. 3 and 4t, andv extend. over the top of pulleys I02, I04, and at their other ends are joined to the upright supports- 85, 81 over which the tie rods 86a, 86b extend.

The quadrant member 95., Fig. l, which is a part of the rear end of the main. tine 92 has secured at II 4 on. its. front surface a cable IIB which. extends under a pulley I58 supported, on a. cross member I between members 82, 84. Cable H6 extends over a pulley I22 mounted on the upper endof a piston. rod I24. which is connected to.a.piston, not shown, an.d. movable within. a. cylinder I25. that. is supported, on, a. beam I28. extending. between. the members 82, 84- in.

The other end I rear of the cross member I20.

. separated from chamber I14 by a wall I32.

of cable H6 is secured at I to the rear of beam I28. This arrangement of the cable provides for the movement of the center tine 92 in one direction. A compression spring I32, Fig 2, within a tubular telescopic casing I34 extends between the cross member I20 and apivotal connecting member, not shown, under bracket 06 to bias the main tine 92 in an opposite direction from that which it is. moved. by cable. H6.

The auxiliary tines 9,3, 94 at; their. rear ends 93a, Eta are connected to cables I36, Hi8, and through the aid of suitable pulley means, the cables extend along the top of member 84 to the rear of thetractor where they are connected tela manually-operable lever Hi0.

Referring now to Figs. 6-14, and particularly Fig; 6, the dctails-of valve mechanism indicated by; the general reference numeral 25 will be explained. Valve 26 consists of casing portions I58, I52 which are providedwith flanges 15!, I53 that are bolted together by a plurality of bolts I54 to form a unitary-casing. Casing portion I52-has at one enda plate I:55,'which, as shown in Fig. 7, is secured to portion I52 by a plurality ofscrews Casing portion H2 is. also provided with an H'-shaped. slot I51! through. which extends a manual operator 5'58;

Referring next to Figs. 6 and? are shown three conduits lfii and IE2 which are joined to bosses. It'd, 5'62, 565. protruding from one side of'the valve body. On the other side of the valve body,,as shown in. Fig. 6. a conduit E86 is connected to a boss I57. As shown in Figs, 6 and 3. a. conduit Ida is connected. to. a boss Hit and a conduit I is connectedto a boss I"I.I. The several conduits are connected to the several cylinders previously mentioned.

Referring now to Figs. 7 and 8' are shown the internal passages of valve member 25:. Within the interior of, body portion I52 and extending from. body portion sea; is, a tubular member H2 which is closed, by a, threaded cap 5231 Within its interior. tubular portion I12 has formeda central'or maincharnber !'a.4f.. Referringnow. to Fig.

7., an. opening I15 extends throughboss ittjintc Anropening lit'extends through boss i5! andalso forms communication withv H4.

The passage I Ti is a cylindrical internal'passagc within body portion I59. and extends continuously Within. the interior of the body portion being Because this passage extends around. certain of the bossesandv its fragmentary portions appear differently in thesever-al' views of thedrawing, the various portions will be identified as alphabetical integers of the, referencenumeral I'I I.

Referringnow to Fig. .8, an opening I extends through boss P68 and communicates. with the central chamber. I14. An opening IBI. extends through boss IN and joins an elongatedv portion Illa of. passage ITL. Extending outwardly from passage ITICL arepassages I83, I84, I, I86, all communicating. with the central chamber I74. Oneither side of boss I59 within the interior portionof the structureare passages II'Ib and H10 which. through passages Iii-I, I88' communicate with thecentral chamber I14.

Openings or passages ITI5;,I'I8, I19, I8'I and I88 areslightly. ovalor elongated, see Fig. 8, to increase fluid flow therethrough.

Within the interior of thecentralchamber I'I4 t/o cylinder 89.

layer of packing material I95 surround the portion I92 of member I99 to form a fluid seal. Member I99 is both axially and longitudinally movable within the central chamber I14 to control the flow of fluid with respect to the numerous passages within the valve body. To properly control the flow of fluid through these numerous openings and passages member I 99 is provided with a multiplicity of grooves and recesses which will now be described. On either side of a central ring I91 are annular grooves I98, I99. A longitudinal groove 299 joins annular groove I99 with a recess 29I that is in free communication with an adjacent recess 292 which is longer than recess 29!. On the other side of the central ring I 91 a longitudinal groove 293 joins the annular groove I99 with a recess 294.

On the opposite side of member I99 from that shown in Fig. 7 are another plurality of recesses. In Fig. 8, the member I99 is shown at an angle of 90 from that of Fig. '1, and, therefore, the additional recesses in member I99 are shown in profile. Beginning on the left of the figure, a recess 295 is substantially opposite recess 292, see Fig. 14. A recess 296, Fig. 8, extends laterally from the annular groove I99. A recess 291 also extends laterally from the annular groove I99. The recesses 298, 291 are provided to counter-balance fluid pressure on the opposite side of member I99. At the right side of member I99, a recess 298, see Fig. 19, is substantially diametrically opposite recess 294.

In Fig. 8 certain of the recesses within member I99 extend arcuately. about the outer surface of member I99 and their extensions are shown in dotted lines. For'purposes of clarity, certain of the passages and recesses, not clearly evident in Figs. '1 and 8, are further shown in detail in Figs.

Referring now to Fig. 15, the entire fluid circuit is shown. Pump 22 has its inlet connected by conduit 299 with the lower portion of reservoir 25 and its outlet connected to valve 29 by conduit I68. Fluid returning. from valve 28 passes through conduit I19 into the top of reservoir 24.

The fluid circuit with respect to the several cylinders will now be explained. A three-way valve 2I9 is joined to the end of conduit I89.

From one side of valve 2I9 a conduit 2I I extends A second conduit 2I2 extends from the other side of valve 2 I9 to a header 2 I3 which extends into the twin cylinders 99, 82. Conduit I'9I is joined to a by-pass valve 2M that joins a short conduit 2 I that extends-to conduit 2I2. Conduit I62 extends uninterruptedly to the lower portion of cylinder I29 and enters said cylinder at a point below a piston head, not shown, within the interior of said cylinder. Conduit I85 extends uninterruptedly to the upper part of cylinder I and joins the cylinder I29 at a point above the upper limit of movement of the piston head connected to piston rod I24.

Before describing the operation of the structure as a whole, it is felt that a more comprehensive understanding could be had by explaining the fluid circuit to the several fluid motors here re-' things take place.

ferred to as hydraulic cylinders. Commencing with cylinder 89, which is,connected to valve 25 by conduit 2 I I, three-way valve 2I9 and conduit I69. Oil or other hydraulic fluid contained in reservoir 24 would be drawn by pump 22 through the conduit 299 and delivered from the high pressure side of pump 22 through conduit I88 into opening I99. With the actuator I 58 in a neutral position in the center of the H-shaped slot I51, the oil will pass on either side of ring I91 into the annular grooves I98, I99 and thence through passages I81, I88 to passage I11 where it will pass exteriorly around member I99, leaving by opening I8I and conduit I19 to the reservoir and performs no useful work. To lower the piston in cylinder 89, it is necessary to drain fluid out of the cylinder, and this is accomplished by rotating valve 2 I9 to provide fluid communication between conduit 21 I and conduit I59, and by moving the actuator I58 to the lower right hand leg of slot I51. When this is done, member I99 moves to the right within the chamber I14 and the ring I91 is moved on the right side of opening I89. Oil entering opening I99 passes through the annular passage I98, passage I81, passage I111), into the general passage I11, and leaves the valve body 25 through opening IBI without having performed any useful work. The liquid in cylinder 89 at the same time is enabled to be drained therefrom by entering conduit 2! I, valve 2I9, conduit IE9, passage I15, recess 295, passage I89, passage I11, opening I8I into conduit I19. When the cylinder is emptied or the piston has been lowered to the desired extent, the actuator I58 is moved to a neutral position.

' To raise the piston within cylinder 89, the valve 2 I8 is turned to the position previously mentioned and the actuator I58 is moved to the upper right hand leg of the slot I51. By this change of position, oil entering opening I 89 passes into the annular passage I98 and through recess 299 into recess 292 where it leaves member I99 through the opening I15, conduit I99, valve 2H! and conduit 2i I to the cylinder. When the cylinder has been raised for-a suihcient distance the actuator is again moved to a neutral position and valve 259 is closed.

To lower the pistons within the twin cylinders '89, 82, valve 2I9 is rotated to formcommunicaprocedure is identically the same as that previously described for raising the piston within cylinder 59, except, of course, that valve 22 I9 must have been rotated to form communication between conduit 2I2 and conduit I99 to the exclusion of conduit 2I I.

To lower the piston within cylinder I26, which it should be noted is a double acting cylinder, the manual actuator I58 is moved to the lower left hand leg of slot I51. When this is done, two

Oil is drained out of the bottom of cylinder I26 and at'the same time oil is pumped into the top of the cylinder. The fluid circuit may be traced as follows: Oil leaving cylinder I29 passes through conduit I92 and enters the valve body 26 through the opening I18. It then passes into the recess 298 and then outwardly from the center chamber I14 through the opening I85 into passage H1 and through opening ifiI into conduit i'ill to the reservoir 24. At the same time oil entering conduit I68 and passing through opening i855 enters the annular groove I89, thence passing through the longitudinal slot 203, recess 2B4, opening H9 and conduit H55 to the upper portion of cylinder I26. 4

To raise the piston within cylinder I25, a reverse circuit is used, which is accomplished by moving the actuator I58 to the upper left hand leg of slot E57. This permits oil in the upper portion of cylinder 12% to pass through conduit I66 into opening H9 entering recess 298 and leaving the same through passage $65 into passage Ill and thence through the opening I8I to conduit Ilii. At the same time oi entering the valve through conduit 58 passes through opening we into the annular recess I98 and across slot 253 into recess 2M and thence through opening I18 and conduit I62 into the lower portion of cylinder I25.

Under certain conditions it may be necessary to raise the piston in cylinder I26 and simultaneously discharge the liquid within the twin cylindcrs tit, 62 to lower the pistons therein. This operation may be simultaneously accomplished by moving the mansial actuator I58 into the upper left hand leg of slot i5'i. At the same time the by-pass valve 2M between conduit I6I and nipple ZIE is opened. This permits liquid in the cylinders b9, 62 to pass through the header 2l3 into conduit Elf and thence to nipple 2I5, valve 2 l4 and conduit IE5 through opening I16, into the cylindrical passage i'i'i whence it passes outwardly through the opening it?! to conduit Hi). In the preceding discussion relative to the raising of the piston within cylinder 52% the circuit for accomplishing this was fully disclosed and would be the same in this example.

it should be mentioned that the function of passages IE3 and i235 are merely drains from the central chamber lid and provide escape for a liquid seepage along the outer surface of member It should be further understood that member Ied and the center chamber El i will each be carefully machined to minimize leakage.

The general operation of the device will now be described, it being understood that the various cylinders will, without repetition, be operated in the manner previously described. When it is desired to uproot a stump or to lift a heavy rock which is embedded in the soil, the tractor carrying the excavating mechanism described by genoral reference numeral 3% is moved into the vicinity of the object with all parts of mechanism 33 elevate from the ground. The ground engaging pm on is lowered to a point where it approaches the ground but need not necessarily contact the same. The first operation in uprooting the object is to lower the center tine 92 until it contacts the ground at one side of the object. Then. the tractor is propelled with the center tine digging into the ground. In order to most effectively use the center tine 92, it may be necessary while raising the piston rod within cylinder I26,

been dislodged, the center tine 92 is raised and by moving the lever I40 to a forward position, the auxiliary tines 9'3, 94 are rotated until their rear ends 93a, 94a engage the bracket 93 so that tines 92, 93 and 94 are now substantially parallel to each other. Then by again manipulating cylinder I26, the three tines will operate in unison to pick up th load. When the tractor has been manipulated to drive the excavating portion SI under the object, the twin cylinders 6t, '52 are charged to raise the frame mechanism 2'5 composed of the arms 82, 84 to an elevated position so that a truck or Wagon may be moved under the excavating portion QI to receive the object which may be dumped by again actuating cylinder i265.

It should be under stood that although the tine 92 is moved in one direction by cylinder I25, it is given an impetus to move in the other direction by compression spring E32 within the tubular telescopic casing I34.

The mechanism is relatively simple to operate directly from the seat of a tractor and is capable of performing the several operations needed to dislodge and excavate a heavy object by the simple manipulation of the main control valve 26 together with its auxiliary valves and the lever I40.

The advantage of my invention resides in providing a sturdy, rugged device adapted for connection to a conventional farm tractor for excavating and hoisting heavy objects with a minimum of human effort and at a relatively low cost to thus increase the value of land which has heretofore been unsuitable for cultivation.

My invention is not restricted to the single illustration, but is defined in the terms of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. Means for excavating a heavy object from the surface of land, including in combination, a tractor, a main frame supported at one end on the tractor and extending forwardly of the tractor, a ground engaging portion secured to the front end of said. main frame, a first power hoist mounted on the front end of the tractor and connected to the. main frame for vertically moving thev ground engaging portion, a second frame member supported at one end on the tractor and extending beyond the outer limits of the main frame, a plurality of excavating tines pivotally mounted on the front end of the second frame member, a second power hoist connected to one of said tines, manually operable means connected to the remainder of said tines for moving the same independent of said first named tine, means carried by said first named tine for abutting the remainder of said tines for simultaneously moving all of said tines, a third power hoist supported on the ground engaging portion of the main frame member and connected to the second frame member for vertically moving the outer end thereof with respect to the ground, power means operated by the tractor for actuating the several hoists, and a power control device operable to simultaneously actuate two of said hoists.

2. An excavating device, comprising a frame member, a plurality of pivotally movable tines mounted on one end of the frame member, manually operable means connected to one of said tines for pivotally moving the same independently of a second of said tines, a fluid motor connected to a second of said tines for pivotally moving the latter, and an abutment carried by the second of said tines for engaging a portion of the first named tine when the same is in a predetermined position whereby the first named tine when the latter is pivotally moved by the fluid motor moves in unison with the second named tine.

3. An excavating device, comprising a pair of members forming a first frame, a second pair of members forming a second frame, means carried by one end of each of said members for connecting said first and second frames to a tractor and in such a manner that the frames extend in front of the tractor, a pair of fluid motors mounted on the first frame and operatively connected to the second frame for elevating the second frame relative to the first frame, a plurality of movable tines pivotally connected in spaced side-by-side relation to the forward end of the second frame, the central one of said tines formed with a quadrant shaped rear end and a pointed front end; a fluid motor mounted on the second frame and operatively connected to a forward part of the quadrant shaped portion of said central tine for rotating the same relative to said second frame, means for rotating the remainder of said tines independently of said first named tine, and abutments carried by said central tine and extending transversely across the remainder of said tines when the latter are in a predetermined position for simultaneously moving all of said tines.

4. An excavating device for removingheavy objects from the ground, comprising a frame member adapted to be connected at one end to lateral portions of a tractor and to extend in front of the tractor, a plurality of tines pivotally mounted on the forward end of the frame, one of said tines formed with a quadrant shaped rear end and a pointed front end, a fluid motor mounted on the frame and operatively connected to the forward part of the quadrant shaped portion of said tine for rotating the same relative to the frame, resilient means carried by the frame and connected to the tine for biasing the same in a direction opposite that to which the same is moved by the motor, means connected to another of said tines for moving the same independently of the first named tine, and an abutment carriedby the first named tine and projecting across a portion of the second named tine for engaging the latter when the same is in a predetermined position, whereby both of said tines are simultaneously moved by the fluid motor. 7

5. A tractor operated excavating device, embodying a tractor, a first generally U-shaped frame surrounding the tractor with its closed end extending in front of the tractor and its other ends pivotally connected to the tractor, a second generally U-shaped frame surrounding the tractor and overlying the first frame with the arms of its open end pivotally connected to the tractor adjacent the pivotal connections of the first frame and with its closed end extending in front of the tractor beyond the forward limits of the first frame, at least three independent tines pivotally mounted between their opposite ends in side-by-side relationship on the front end of the second frame, first motor means operatively connected to the center one of said tines and being effective to move said tine on its pivot through a substantial arc to excavate an object from the ground, an abutment carried by said center tine and, extending across the remaining tines when the latter are in a predetermined position with respect to the center tine, whereby all of said tines are simultaneously moved in one direction by said first motor means to elevate the dislodged object, second motor means carried by said first frame and connected to said second frame for moving the second frame relative to the first frame, and power means carried by the tractor and operatively connected to said first and second motor means for actuating said motor means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 37,894 Bell et a1 Mar. 17, 1863 1,829,728 Beatty et a1. Nov. 3, 1931 2,008,324 Grab July 16, 1935 2,187,707 Kane Jan. 16, 1940 2,191,048 Tims Feb. 20, 1940 2,302,801 Powelson Nov. 24, 1942 2,358,298 Benjamin Sept. 19, 1944 2,418,251 Drott April 1, 194.7 2,450,481 May Oct. 5, 1948 2,451,101 Leschinsky Oct. 12, 1948 2,471,289 Sedgwick May 24, 1949 2,535,099 Slick Dec. 26, 1950 2,628,734 Jannsen Feb. 17, 1953 

